GROWN WOMAN // evidently, it seems this is where I am in my life. A grown ass woman. I have fallen off the social map. completely … and you you know what? thats a-okay.

There used to be a time (not to long ago) where my priorities surrounded my blog, my business and driving myself to be the best me on the interweb … only … I wasn’t the best me in real life; so why try so hard (unbenounced to myself at the time).

In September, as you may or may not recall, I travelled to Portugal and Spain with my man friend. While I was there I made a monumental decision to quit my job and venture down an insane path. I took a gigantic leap of faith and put all my eggs, shoes, clothes, and vintage thrifted goodness in one pretty little wicker-fucking-basket.

If you ask anyone who knows me personally they will undoubtedly admit that I am the most impulsive and impatient person. To me, I have found a way to balance the two and make it not such a bad combo … but it leads me down paths left, right and centre going a million miles a minute and at times, I sink before anyone really notices I started swimming. (holy analogies!!!)

To be frank. I am not afraid of anything … which means I rarely do something and think about the consequences. Quitting my job in Europe does seem insane … but I assure you … I thought about it long and hard.

I am now working for an amazing agency focusing on an amazing brand. I work with inspiring, hilarious and dirty minded individuals who are incredibly talented at what they do in the workforce. I took a gigantic leap of faith and it paid off (thank goodness, because I’d be pretty fucked).

My point is. I am a grown woman. My blog used to fulfill the down time I possessed, and the priorities I had set, but all that has shifted, greatly … monumentally actually.

And you know what … it feels so good. So good to of had big dreams and to finally be living them. So good to set new goals and see where I end up. At the end of the day, I wish nothing but the same for you.

So this isn’t goodbye, but it is a final notice … it’s a letter letting you know that this blog started for me, and always stayed true to me. I never sold my blog out for advertising or to another brand … I blog because in 10 years it will be pretty sweet to look back at all the ridiculously fucking ugly things I wore and looked damn good in, and I will continue to do so … when I want to.

SCARF: Vintage // Kilt Worn As A Scarf
CAPE: Vintage // Little Boys Blue Cape
DRESS: Vintage // Striped Primary Coloured 1950′s Dress
HAT: Vintage // Mink Hat
SHOES: Blue Croc Mary-Janes

 beyonce // grown woman

This post is so personal to me, mostly because it was taken on such a magnificent evening while in Lisbon, Portugal – but really; honestly – because it was shot by the love of my life. I have mentioned a couple of times that I primarily shoot my own blog posts (with a tri-pod and hand control remote no less!); and while I take so much pride in doing it myself, I had a moment of clarity when the boyfriend offered to snap a few.

And you know what; he did such a good job! I felt extremely vulnerable … I think it even shows in some of the pictures.

The light was perfect, and the streets were just beginning to buzz with the locals gearing up for dinner. This was shot at the apartment we rented; which was incredibly stunning and perfect for just us two.

Lisbon stole my heart, and I will forever be attached to Portugal. There are no words that can encourage you to visit; the one thing I can tell you, is love will find you in Portugal … and when it does – be ready for it, for it will sweep you off your feet.

This post marks a new transition; as chapters are ending in my life and once again, new ones starting. I am so excited to share with you the new things happening in my life! Next weeks post is sure to be a goodie.

DRESS: The Carrie Bradshaw Oscar De La Renta // Boohoo Canada
SHOES: Nude Stilettos // Boohoo Canada

I never would of thought I’d be blogging from Portugal.Yet, here I am. 8 AM, dedicated.

I have this horrible habit of not “turning off” when on vacation. It could be driven by my insane ADD or simply that I feel like I might miss out on something if I don’t check in.

In any case, all habits will cease by Saturday, as the third leg of our trip begins and I will be S.O.L when it comes to my urge to connect. I feel as though I can justify this post though, as its early and I honestly can’t sleep.

Portugal is amazing. Full stop. If you can’t tell by the above photos – everything here is picturesque. The lifestyle is so different here, family, love, food & vino. The boyfriends family (some who we visited while here) are amazing. The love – well, that’s obvious. The food is to die for, fresh fish every night. Hand picked fruit from the garden every morning. The most delicious and creamiest of cheeses on a charcuterie board for breakfast, and the vino, well … Just keeps flowing.

Today marks day 5! We have 3 more days in Lisbon (the city centre of Portugal), and then we are off to the algarve, which is one of the worlds top most exquisite beach destinations. We are taking two days to scoot to Spain and then we will make our way back home.

So far this trip has been unbelievable. I can honestly say that I’m in love. Head over heels in love.

Another day another dollar. (Not quite.)

Fifteen days until I embark on (what I am calling) the trip that will change my life. In case you’ve managed to ignore my daily countdown – I am off to Portugal and Spain at the end of August … and until then – I have packed my calendar so full of social events that I know, without a doubt – that these fifteen days will fly by.

This weekend I am off to the cottage with my lady loves, we are kicking it old school with mixed tapes, sleeping bags and (hopefully) the occasional s’more … only better – because there will be booze involved.

That’s the thing about being an adult, you can still take your fancy to childish behaviour with a drink in hand. God bless America. (I mean – Canada).

Life is at a cross roads (yet again) and new things are on the horizon. I am hoping my trip to Europe will re-ignite that spark that led me to begin blogging in the first place, and lend itself useful to hopefully, re-ignite my creative passion. I’ve been feeling strained and drained recently to tell you the truth.

This past long weekend I hit up The Grove Music Fest (which is Toronto’s answer to Coachella – no really – same organizers). I was a guest of the greatness that is Free People and even rocked these pants on their behalf. It is safe to say that Toronto has launched something sort of amazing – and it’s about fucking time we had a legit music festival. So next year, I expect you ALL to be there … ok?

HAT: Vintage Felt
SUNGLASSES: Ray-Ban Aviators
TOP: Classic Crop // Boohoo
PANTS: Floria Pleat Pant // Free People
SHOES: Pointy Toe Metal Cap // Ardene

 Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe // Kendrick Lamar

Wine country. Say it with me. Wiiiiiinnnnneeeeeee Country. Every spring I am completely jealous of my friends who live in Cape Cod, or – better yet – who get to visit the cape. Instagram swarms with images from Martha’s Vineyard and I am reminded that the bitter bliss of Canada only has a short window for warm weather, thus warm enough weather to visit our vineyards.

Niagara is beautiful in the summer. Full stop. It is just a shame when it is swarmed with tourists, so last Friday the man friend and I decided to skip town and head out for a weekend of bliss before the tourists took over. A couple of wine tours later, Kendall was day drunk. Win!

Speaking of winning, this upcoming (long) weekend! I will be at The Grove Music Festival, and you know how much I love great music so although this is THE weekend for music – from Lollapalooza in Chi town to Osheaga in Montreal, I am choosing to stay in the city and keep some fun here with Free People!

If you’re in Toronto this weekend, come by the festival and visit me and the crochet beauties at Free People! We will be the hippies swaying to wicked tunes.

HAT: Stolen from my BFF // Bebe
TOP: Stripped Tee // Free People
DRESS: Orange Crush Maxi // BooHoo
SHOES: Alligator Leather // The Gap

 Royals // by Lorde

A very quick post to say heeeeelllllooooo! I am off on a mini stay-cation this weekend and today, aka Thirsty Thursday is really my friday as I am off tomorrow.

Sometimes you just need a mini break to get refreshed. This mini break couldn’t come at a better time, with Portugal and Spain only a month away (OMG!!) this seemed like the perfect time to take a breather.

While rumour has it the weather isn’t set to be so great, the man friend and I are going to make the best of it. I have the biggest bag of marshmallows waiting for me when I get home … and even if rain puts a damper on our campfire … who says I can’t roast marshmallows indoors … (says the girl who once had a massive apartment fire).

I hope you manage to sneak away this weekend (or next – being the long weekend and all) but if you are in the city, come with me to The Grove Music Festival! I am so happy to tell you that I’ve teamed up with Free People and I want YOU to come with me to this amazing festival happening August 3rd in Toronto! >> ENTER HERE! <<

This romper was once-upon-a-time my mum’s … like all good things on this blog, so was the hat. I know readers tell me all the time how lucky I am that my mum and grandmother took such great care of their clothing, and kept them for me. Trust me, I know how lucky I am. This romper is an all time favourite, it is perfect for the beach or those incredibly sweltering hot days in the city that I call home.

HAT: Vintage
JUMPER: Vintage // Hawaiian Punch Romper
SHOES: Boohoo Sandals // Nude Sling Back

I can’t lie. When Alex from I’m a little contacted me to join in on the glittery-girly-soiree that was Christmas in July, I just about burst with excitement. Not just because I was getting to hang out with my blogging lovers but because it gave us all a chance to relax, be girly and DIY the shit out of summer inspired Christmas stockings.

                         Myself, Crystal, Tara, Justine, Alex, Stephanie, Nicole

We ate (gluten free!) bonbon’s from Tori’s Bakeshop, sipped on cocoa soy milk and got our craft on. Tiffany Pratt, who is a real life mermaid and stylist headed up our crafty session with Alex’s vision and they exploded glitter and charm into this styled event. Tiff also saved my soul and ass … aka helped me every second … on my stocking design. As you can tell … I clearly found my floral rhythm.

Sometime’s it’s just nice to get together with a bunch of girls and have a glitter bombed Christmas in July fiesta. Big thanks to all the girls, Alex & Tiff you two are divine and your vision was the tits. Loads of love to Roy, the only male invited, who own’s one of my favourite thrift shops in the beaches called The Salvage Shop, Tori’s Bakeshop provided all of the yummy treats, Blush and Bloom provided all the flowers and the ever so talented Alex Neary captured the event in these amazing photographs.

I hope you’re not dying in this heat wave, but if you are – I encourage you to have your own party with your girlfriends, make crafts and sip some wobbly pops.

Summer basics. Not entirely inspirational but let me tell you, effing comfy.

It’s hawt out … like …. haaaaawt. I am lucky that the men I work with love the artic winds in our office … it’s completely frigid inside. Insert headache here.

Can you believe we are now in the middle of summer? Time is flying on by – my weeks are a blur and life is moving too quickly. I am doing my best to only commit to things I know I can complete. For a while there I was running all over the city during the week and up north on the weekends, spending 8+ hours a week in a car, freelancing, designing, shooting weddings, my blog … lossing my mind … just to get everything done and make everyone else happy.

Once the new year came I made the decision to rid everything that weighed me down. Start fresh and only surround myself with the important things in life.

I try not to sweat the small stuff (sic, try), and have the right people in my life cheering me on for the big stuff. Life is pretty much perfect right now, and I never knew making such a simple decision could make me feel so good.

My trip to Portugal and Spain is right around the corner, I can’t wait to get away and soak in some much needed vitamin D, eat delicious seafood and drink vino by the gallon, haha. Until then though, I’ll be living the basic life – because I kid you not – it is entirely under appreciated.

HAT: Grey & Dusty Rose Felt // Vintage
SHIRT: Basic White T // Revolve
SKIRT: Grey Jersey Knit // Costa Blanca
SHOES: Neon Lights Sandals // Target

 Icona Pop // I love it

because, at the end of the day, if you can’t laugh at yourself, then you obviously take yourself way to seriously.

I’ve had my fair share of learning experiences. One’s worth sharing, and others not … but one thing I’ve learned, through all of these experiences, is that no matter what – I’m always the first to laugh at myself.

There is a lot going on in my life (how many times can I keep saying that) — but the truth is, there is a ton of shit going on in EVERYONE’S life – news flash – that. is. life.

It just so happens, that a year ago today, I had a lot more free time to dedicate to my blog than I do now. Ces’t la vie, that’s what happens I suppose … I created this blog when I graduated school, as a method of coping with being unemployed and owning over 183 pairs of shoes and a bazillion vintage garments.

Now I find myself venturing into new business opportunities, living in the best city in the world, galavanting around exploring new eats with the man friend and best of all, planning a trip of a life time to Portugal and Spain for the end of the summer.

I hope this summer is good to you. Hell, I hope it’s great … but if I could offer one piece of advice, it would be to not take anything to seriously – just live. After all – put it into perspective – if you had what you wished for at twenty one now, would you be happy?

no.

JACKET: Moto // RUDSAK
TOP: Tribal Crop // F21
SKIRT: Neon Pleats // Alice & Olivia
SHOES: Black Ballet’s // Prada [you can't even see them - damnit!]
RINGS: Gold Stacks // House of Harlow

 ben howard // everyday kingdom – the entire EP

Just a quick post to say hello. I have fallen off the face of the planet, but only because I recently packed up my entire life into 36 boxes and heaved-hoed to a brand new condo in the city. As I am sure all of you know, settling into a new place takes so much time. It’s not something you can just throw together, but when you rent the bins you moved with, you have no choice but to unpack – and quick!

I am pleasantly surprised at how the entire apartment came together, I mean – it essentially looks like my old apartment, as I brought everything with me – only now I have an additional 400 square feet.

So here are some bits and bobs of what is around the new place – I still have yet to really hang anything, except my bronzed taxidermy stag head above my toilet – makes a great conversational piece slash, scares the shit out of you (literally I suppose) … and yet, do not confuse said bronzed stag head with the two black ceramic doe heads above, I have a thing for animals heads – apparently). I’ll give a full glimpse soon, until then.

 Stay Away by @CHARLIXCXUS